[leftside]

RE: Susvara and LCD-4, Zach has said a few times already that the Caldera is tuned unlike any other planar on the market, and @warrenpchi pretty much confirmed that sentiment.
I should have the Caldera here soon(?) If yall want me to compare them for you in my review drop me a PM.

That would be great. The LCD-4 are still one of my favorite headphones.

 

[L0rdGwyn]

That would be great. The LCD-4 are still one of my favorite headphones.

Welcome back @leftside , haven't seen you around in a while!

 

[whirlwind]

That would be great. The LCD-4 are still one of my favorite headphones.

Long time no see.

Yeah, from top to bottom the LCD-4 just delivers sweet music.

 

[jgwtriode]

Had a great time! My favorite setups, based on criteria of getting me lost in the music:

1. ZMF Atrium (Metrum Morpheus, Airmid OTL amp). Fun, engaging, musical, punchy, great staging, and natural. Noticeably more resolving than the Auteur and Aelous I have at home. Everything sounded good. This setup has endgame potential.


5. ZMF Caldera (??? DAC, Feliks tube amp). Super fun, engaging, punchy, and unique tuning. The bass was super impactful but clean, tight, and quick. Reminded me of a TH900 on steroids. I wouldn't be surprised if it has a Verite reception with most people loving it, but some finding the tuning a bit wonky. I definitely want more time with this one, sounded superb off the Feliks but underpowered by another tube amp in ZMF room. Perhaps a new variation of the ZMF house sound, they sounded different than any other ZMF's, not better nor worse, just different. ZMF headphones are like Pokemon - gotta catch em all!

These comments have me really wondering whether an Atrium might not be a better choice next year than a Caldera????

 

[Zachik]

These comments have me really wondering whether an Atrium might not be a better choice next year than a Caldera????

Depends on whom you ask!!
I strongly prefer the Caldera. Others that I talked to - preferred the Atrium.
(obviously, they were wrong )

 

[Monsterzero]

The Caldera and Atrium will require different amps to sound stellar.
Although I have yet to hear the new amp that Keenan debuted at canjam.

I will be a bit shocked if it tops the Airmid for driving high impedance headphones

 

[jgwtriode]

Depends on whom you ask!!
I strongly prefer the Caldera. Others that I talked to - preferred the Atrium.
(obviously, they were wrong )

What did you like better about the Caldera? Did you hear it on Keenan's pentode?

jgwtriode

 

[leftside]

Welcome back @leftside , haven't seen you around in a while!

Thanks It's been a busy summer on the bike, and building cupboards in the garage.

Looking forward to the earlier darker evenings and listening again. I'm definitely more of a nighttime music listener.

 

[Zachik]

What did you like better about the Caldera? Did you hear it on Keenan's pentode?

jgwtriode

Caldera had better bass (to my taste), and faster / tighter sound all around.
I did not test on Keenan's pentode - it was being used every single time I stopped by the ZMF room (and I was too busy and/or impatient to wait for it to become available).

 

[whirlwind]

The Caldera and Atrium will require different amps to sound stellar.
Although I have yet to hear the new amp that Keenan debuted at canjam.

I will be a bit shocked if it tops the Airmid for driving high impedance headphones

I have never heard either of these amps from Keenan. The Airmid may very well be enough for most people for both cans as you can use the 6336B tubes which is a great plus.

Whether or not it can make the Caldera sound as full as on the pentode amp vs how the Atrium sounds on the pentode amp.

I am just guessing here, but I expect the pentode amp to be the best all around amp, so to speak. It should not have any issues powering most headphones.

A good OTL and high impedance headphones do have a wonderful synergy going on.

I am sure Keenan will explain this all better than I can.

 

[jgwtriode]

Hey Keenan?

What would the 6336B take the Airmid's output impedance down to ? Would that be a better choice for an output tube with the Caldera?

Thanks,

jgwtriode

 

[Monsterzero]

I have never heard either of these amps from Keenan. The Airmid may very well be enough for most people for both cans as you can use the 6336B tubes which is a great plus.

I could be mistaken, but I do not believe the Airmid can use the 6336. Keenan's custom 1-of- a- kind OTL Spinosaurus uses the 6336, but it's a different amp than the Airmid

 

[L0rdGwyn]

Sorry very busy week, Airmid cannot use 6336 tubes, I'll elaborate later today.

 

[whirlwind]

I could be mistaken, but I do not believe the Airmid can use the 6336. Keenan's custom 1-of- a- kind OTL Spinosaurus uses the 6336, but it's a different amp than the Airmid

My bad...I guess just 6AS7G....which still may power ZMF planar fine for some.

The amp that uses the 6336 tubes would probably be better.

 

[Paladin79]

A few things from my buying trip north of Philly. I spent 28 hours driving a cargo van, not all at once though. Finnegan helped with unboxing equipment and sorting CD's, most all are Classical music.